Wire-stretcher.



T. B. MoMILLAN.

WIRE STRETOHER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.17, 1914.

Patented Mar. 30, 1915.

4 J r v THE NORRIS PE. TER c0. PHOTO-LITHO.. WASHINGTON, n. C

THOMAS B. IVIQMILLAN, OF TOEO, LOUISIANA.

WIRE-STRETCHER.

Application filed August 17, 1914.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS B. MoMIL- LAN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Toro, in the county of Sabine and State ofLouisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements invVire-Stretchers, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawin s.

Ti ly invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in wirestretchers and has for its object the production of a simple andeconomic construction and very effective in operation.

lVith these ends in view my invention consists in the details ofconstruction and operation hereinafter and in detail described.

In order that those skilled in the art to which my invention appertainsmay know how to make and use my improved stretcher and fully appreciateits advantages, I will now proceed to describe the same referr ng bynumerals to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a centrallongitudinal section showing the stretcher in initial condition forstitching fence wire, but with the hook on the stretching chain omitted.Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the device connected to a wire to bestretched and anchored at the opposite end and showing also the relationof all parts after the stretching lever has been vibrated to its fullextent and the connecting chain caught and held by the trigger, and theslack of the chain ready to be taken up when the lever is returned for asecond operation. Fig. 3 is a top or plan view with the operating leverin a vertical position.

Similar reference numerals indicate like parts in the several figures ofthe drawing.

1. 1. represent two side pieces spaced apart and secured permanently to,or formed integral with a base 2, which is somewhat longer than thesides. The rear end of the base 2 is provided with a suitable hook orchain 3 by means of which it may be secured to an anchoring post ortree, and at its forward end with a staple-like guide 4 for the pullingchain. Between the rear ends of the sides 1. 1. is vibratively connectedby a bolt 5, a lever 6, the journaled end of which is rounded and spacedfrom the base 2 a sufficient distance to permit of the free passage ofthe pulling chain.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 30, 1915. Serial No. 857,215.

7 is a stout hook secured to the edge of the lever adjacent to its rearend and adapted to progressively grasp links of the pulling chain, andin the rear of this hook is secured a coil spring 8, provided at itsfree end with a hook 9, adapted to engage with the links of the chain totake up slack as will be presently explained.

Between the sides 1. 1. at the forward ends a trigger 12 is vibrativelymounted upon a shaft 13 and maintained centrally of said shaft bysuitable sleeves 14. The outer end of this trigger projects beyond thesides 1. 1. where it may be convenient for manipulation by an operator.The trigger is so journaled with reference to its length that its innerend will fall by gravity against the base 2 and the extremity is sofashioned as to engage with the links of the pulling chain.

15 is a transverse bolt through the sides 1. 1. to limit the movement ofthe trigger when it is successively released from the chain. In the useof my improved stretcher it is first anchored by the hook and chain 3 toa post or suitably located tree, and a chain 16 is then connected withthe single or woven wire 17 to be stretched; the chain 16 is then passedunder the guide 4: and drawn taut and one of the links passed over thehook 7 when the lever 6 is in the position shown in Fig. 1; the lever isnow vibrated upon its journal toward the forward end of the base 2 tothe position shown in Fig. 2, and the pulling chain traveling under andby the inner end of the trigger 12 when the inner end of the same willfall into a link of the chain and lock it against any retrogrademovement while the lever is being returned for a further draft upon thechain, and at which time the hook 9 on the coil spring 8, is coupledwith a link of the chain to take up the slack in the chain in an obviousmanner.

I of course do not wish to be confined to any particular dimensions orto the character of material employed in the construction of my improvedstretcher, and many variations may be made in the mere details ofconstruction without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A wirestretcher, comprising a base having two parallel longitudinal spacedsides forming chain guides, means at one end of the base for anchoringthe base, a lever pivoted between the sides at one end thereof andhaving a rounded pivotal end and also having a hook disposed on itsunder surface in advance of the pivot, a gravity actuated triggerpivoted between the forward ends of the sides, a pulling chain passingbetween the sides at the forward end of the base and beneath the triggerand the rounded end of the lever and interlocking with the hook on thelever, and means mounted on the under face of the lever in advance ofthe chain hook for taking up slack in that portion of the chain disposedin advance of the chain hook.

2. A wire stretcher, comprising a base having two parallel longitudinalspaced sides forming chain guides, anchoring means at one end of thebase, a pulling chain guide at the opposite end of the base, a leverpivoted between the sides at one end thereof, having a rounded pivotalend and provided with a hook on its under face in advance of the pivot,a gravity actuated trigger disposed between the forward ends of thesides, a pulling chain passing between the sides and beneath the triggerand lever, and interlocking with the hook on the lever and means fortaking up slack in that portion of the chain beyond said hook, saidmeans comprising a coil spring secured at one end to the lever on itsunder face and having a hook at its free end adapted to engage one linkof the chain.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signaturein the presence of twowitnesses.

THOMAS E. MoMILLAN. Witnesses J. M. MILLER,

ALFRED SLAY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingt11e"00mmissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0.

